Car filters - when to change them?

Most drivers care about the appearance of their car. We usually go to car washes at least once a month, and to this we should add vacuuming, washing upholstery and washing windows. However, it is also important to keep the interior of individual vehicle systems clean. This requires filters that affect both the technical condition of the car and the comfort of the trip.

There are many of the latter in every car. Therefore, in order to enjoy their long and trouble-free service, first of all, in in time (according to the manufacturer's recommendations) replace the correct filter. We advise what you should pay special attention to.

We take care of the lubrication system

– The first one, i.e. the oil filter, removes all kinds of contaminants resulting from the wear of individual engine components or fractions, soot or soot released during its operation, explains Grzegorz Krul, Service Manager of the Martom Automotive Center, owned by the Martom Group .

In fact, the role of this element is really difficult to overestimate. The operation of the entire motor really depends on its condition. When this filter begins to lose its properties, we run the risk of significantly increasing engine wear, which can ultimately lead to fatal damage.

Be sure to remember about the systematic replacement. We do this in accordance with the recommendations of the car manufacturer - usually every 15 km of run, and this is exactly the same frequency as in the case of oil.

Clean fuel is a filter that is changed less often

Equally important is the fuel filter, its role is to separate all kinds of impurities and particulate matter, as well as, in the case of diesel-powered vehicles, water particles.

“This element largely determines the quality of the fuel supplied to our engine, so you should definitely take care of its proper technical condition and replace old and worn out ones with new ones at the right time,” adds a Martom Group representative.

How often we have to make a decision to replace will largely depend on the quality of the gasoline or diesel we use.

As a standard, a visit to the site for this purpose must be planned after a run of about 30 kilometers. However, if earlier we tried to save a little on fuel, then this distance can even be halved.

Air without dust and dirt

The air filter, in turn, as the name implies, serves to clean the air sucked in by the engine while driving from dust, dust and other similar contaminants.

– At the same time, the frequency of exchange largely depends on the conditions in which we generally travel. Limiting ourselves almost exclusively to city driving, we change this filter after an average of 15-20 thousand kilometers. However, a vehicle driven in a dusty environment will require more frequent intervention on our part, says Grzegorz Krul.

Postponing the purchase of a replacement, we risk, including. to increase fuel consumption. Often we also feel a significant reduction in engine power. These symptoms should definitely not be ignored as over time they can lead to a more serious malfunction.

We destroy microorganisms from the inside

The last of the car filters, the cabin filter (also known as the pollen filter), purifies the air that enters the vehicle interior. Its condition primarily affects the comfort of the driver and passengers while driving.

This filter should be replaced with a new one every year, because after this time it loses its properties, and the accumulated moisture promotes the growth of fungi and microorganisms.

“As a result, polluted air is blown into the interior of the car, which can lead to unpleasant odors or faster glass evaporation,” the Martom Group expert notes at the end.

A clogged cabin filter will be especially unpleasant for children or sensitive people, as it can cause allergic reactions in them. You should definitely make it a habit to replace it, for example, before the start of the summer season, when checking the air conditioner.